How to Distinguish Between a Norwegian Forest Cat, a Maine Coon Cat & Other Forest Cats

By
Sharon Platz

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sharon Platz

Sharon Platz brings a 30-year career to her writing. She has experience in numerous fields, both in brick-and-mortar and self-employment, including accounting; contracts; nonprofit structuring, operations and taxation; payroll; purchasing; and sales and marketing. Her editing has been featured in the Los Angeles Daily News.

Things You'll Need

Brush or comb

Tape measure

Warning

Do not rely on the ears, paws or color to determine the difference between Norwegian forest and Maine coon cats. Both breeds have large, tufted ears and paws and come in the same color varieties.

Tip

To ensure that you are getting the specific breed of cat you want, it's always best to purchase the feline from a qualified breeder. However, always check out your local animal shelter for your new cat -- they just might have the perfect Norwegian forest cat or Maine coon in need of a good home.

Norwegian forest cats hail from Norway, and were exclusive to Scandinavian countries until they protected the food supply on Viking ships. Norwegian forest cats are the only domesticated "forest" cats around the world.

Maine coon cats are one of the oldest natural breeds of North America, according to "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Cat Breeds." This Maine native was given the moniker "Coon" because it's believed the breed is the result of mating between semi-feral cats and raccoons.

It's difficult to tell these two breeds apart. There are subtle differences, however, to look for when picking out your forest or coon.

Step 1

Check the size of the cat if it's an adult. Norwegian forest cats have large builds, and Maine coon cats have a medium to large build. Forest cats are larger than coons.

Step 2

Comb the fur backward (gently) to determine the undercoat. Norwegian forests have a smooth, water-repellent topcoat, with a woolly, almost curly, undercoat. Maine coons have a shaggy coat that is soft as silk and no undercoat.

Step 3

Gauge the head shape and size. Forests have a large head that is triangular in shape. They have long noses, and their foreheads and cheekbones are not defined. Maine coons boast a medium-sized head that is square-shaped. Their noses are medium-length, foreheads curve and they have high, prominent cheekbones.

Step 5

Measure the cat's legs to see if the front legs are shorter than the back legs. Forests' have long legs, and their back legs are longer than their front legs. Coons have medium-length legs that are even.

Step 6

Look at the cat's tail. While both breeds' tails are bushy, the forest cat's tail will have even longer fur than the coon's. The fur on both cats' tails might be longer than the fur on its body.